Obama says GOP obstructionism forced his hand on immigration policy

President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Photo: AP

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President Barack Obama gestures to the crowd as he arrives at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama gestures to the crowd as he arrives at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Photo: AP

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President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama speaks at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Photo: AP

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The president greets retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly.

The president greets retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly.

Photo: AFP photo

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President Barack Obama, center, former President George H. W. Bush, right, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates say goodbye to the crowd at Texas A&M University where they spoke on occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Points of Light community service movement Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) less

President Barack Obama, center, former President George H. W. Bush, right, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates say goodbye to the crowd at Texas A&M University where they spoke on occasion of the 20th ... more

Photo: AP

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With George Bush at Texas A&M.

With George Bush at Texas A&M.

Photo: Associated Press

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President Barack Obama and former President George H.W. Bush, right, talk with corp cadets in the cafeteria prior to the Points of Light Institute forum at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) less

President Barack Obama and former President George H.W. Bush, right, talk with corp cadets in the cafeteria prior to the Points of Light Institute forum at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, ... more

Photo: AP

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President Obama holds an immigration-related event in El Paso.

President Obama holds an immigration-related event in El Paso.

Photo: AFP photo

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President Barack Obama gives a "hook 'em horns" sign before a speech at Gregory Gym at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

President Barack Obama gives a "hook 'em horns" sign before a speech at Gregory Gym at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Photo: AP

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President Barack Obama gives a "hook 'em horns" sign before a speech at Gregory Gym at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

President Barack Obama gives a "hook 'em horns" sign before a speech at Gregory Gym at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Photo: AP

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President Barack Obama gives a "hook 'em horns" sign as he starts a speech at Gregory Gym at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

President Barack Obama gives a "hook 'em horns" sign as he starts a speech at Gregory Gym at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Photo: AP

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President Barack Obama arrives to speak at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

President Barack Obama arrives to speak at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The shadow of a member of Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., security detail falls on a wall before the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign event at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) less

The shadow of a member of Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., security detail falls on a wall before the Democratic presidential candidate's campaign event at the American Legion Post 490 Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in ... more

Photo: AP

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Dirk Nowitzki presents a World Champion Mavs' uniform to President Obama.

Dirk Nowitzki presents a World Champion Mavs' uniform to President Obama.

Photo: Associated Press

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President Obama with the NBA championship trophy won in 2011 by the Dallas Mavericks.

President Obama with the NBA championship trophy won in 2011 by the Dallas Mavericks.

Photo: Associated Press

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Dallas for Obama.

Dallas for Obama.

Photo: Kimberly Young

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A campaign event in Dallas.

A campaign event in Dallas.

Photo: Kimberly Young

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President Obama at NASA facility.

President Obama at NASA facility.

Photo: AFP photo

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Speaking at a NASA event.

Speaking at a NASA event.

Photo: AFP photo

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Obama Texas campaign buttons at the Democratic convention in Denver.

Obama Texas campaign buttons at the Democratic convention in Denver.

Photo: Rick Dunham / Hearst Newspapers

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Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at Robert Gray Army Air Field in Killeen, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. Obama traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to meet with families of the those wounded and killed in last week's shooting. less

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive at Robert Gray Army Air Field in Killeen, Texas, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. Obama traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to meet with families of the those ... more

Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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Remembering the fallen at Fort Hood.

Remembering the fallen at Fort Hood.

Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama depart from Fort Hood.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama depart from Fort Hood.

Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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Photo: Rick Dunham / Houston Chronicle

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Obama says GOP obstructionism forced his hand on immigration policy

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By GARY MARTIN
WASHINGTON BUREAU

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – A week after issuing a directive that stopped the deportation of immigrant children, President Barack Obama told Latino leaders Friday that Congress needs to change the immigration system to better reflect the nation’s heritage.

Obama offered a spirited defense of his actions, saying Republicans in Congress blocked the DREAM Act, forcing him to issue a temporary directive to lift the shadow of deportation and give hope to children who were brought here for no fault of their own.

“Congress still needs to come up with a long-term immigration solution, rather than argue that we did this the wrong way or for the wrong reasons,” Obama said.

The president accused Republicans of playing politics with the immigration reform and the DREAM Act, failing to act on legislation that was once championed by lawmakers in both parties.

“The bill hadn’t changed. The need hadn’t changed. The only thing that changed was politics,” Obama said to enthusiastic applause from the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials at a Disney World resort.

By contrast, Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, received tepid applause for his roll out of an alternative immigration strategy on Thursday.

Obama praised Latinos for their contributions and resilience that are part of our American heritage.

“Whether our ancestors arrived on the Mayflower or were brought here on slave ships, whether they signed in at Ellis Island or they crossed the Rio Grande,” Obama said, “their diversity has not only enriched this country, it helped build the greatest economic engine the world has ever known.”

Obama’s speech comes in advance of an expected decision by the Supreme Court on a controversial immigration enforcement law in Arizona that is hailed by conservatives and opposed by the Obama administration.

In a glancing reference to the upcoming decision, Obama said the lack of immigration reform has resulted in “a patchwork of state laws that create more problems than they solve.”

Marco Rubio (Getty Images)

Before Obama spoke, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told the NALEO luncheon that both major political parties have failed to compromise on immigration reform.

Rubio said Democrats and Republicans alike see it as a powerful political tool to raise money and sway elections.

“As long as this issue is a political ping pong,” Rubio said, “it won’t get solved.”

Immigrant rights groups seemed to agreed.

Ali Noorani with the National Immigration Forum Action Fund said Congress must get past politics on immigration and follow the vision of the president for a system that serves “young and old alike, the skilled engineer and the skilled farm worker.”

Obama also used the speech to address the lagging economy, and rebut criticism from Romney.

Romney softened his rhetoric on immigration enforcement that was prominent during the Republican presidential primary battle, and instead offered up a plan based on border security, increased visas and lift caps for permanent residency for the spouses and children of green card holders.

Romney told NALEO that Obama’s deportation directive was designed to divert attention from his economic failures and blunt criticism for an economy that has left 11 percent of Latino’s unemployed, more than the 8 percent national average.

But Obama reminded Latino leaders that Romney vowed to veto the DREAM Act, which would provide citizenship for illegal immigrant children who were brought to this country before age 16 and attend college or join the military.

“We should take him at his word,” Obama said. “And I believe that would be a tragic mistake. You do, too.”

Obama has received an immediate political jolt as a result of the directive announcement last week, which halted deportations for illegal immigrant children who attend college or work, provided they have no criminal record.

The president’s poll numbers were up among Latinos, a critical voting bloc in swing states needed for re-election, according to a Latino Decisions poll released Friday.

The surge in support for Obama comes after the opinion of many Latino leaders seemed to sour on the president for failing to address the issue of immigration earlier in his term.

Four years ago, Obama pledged to pass comprehensive immigration reform in his first year in office.

Since taking office, immigration reform has languished in Congress, and efforts to pass piece-meal parts like the DREAM Act have been blocked by Republican opposition.

Despite the importance of economy to Latinos, pollster Matt Barreto told the NALEO conference that immigration remains a mobilizing issue for Latino voters.

It is seen as a civil rights issue, said Texas Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, the chairman of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus.

Republican Latinos, however, joined their GOP colleagues in criticizing Obama’s most recent initiative on deportation – not on substance but for bypassing Congress and using it to gain political traction.

“He did it on is own, and at a time when he desperately need Hispanics,” said U.S. Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco, R-San Antonio.

Obama said Congress needs to provide a long term solution.

“For those who are saying Congress should be the one to fix this, absolutely,” he said. “For those who say we should do this in a bipartisan fashion, absolutely.”